Research in Health Technologies at ÉTS: To Prevent, Diagnose and Treat More Efficiently

In Quebec, as in all industrialized countries, health costs are exploding due to the aging population. Research in the field of health technologies – or in Biomedical Engineering – could be a game changer, either by creating innovations that prevent health problems, diagnose them or treat them more effectively. ÉTS biomedical engineering researchers are working on these and many other down-to-earth issues.

Strategic Directions in Health Technologies at ÉTS

At ÉTS, research in health technologies and biomedical engineering is based on a group of more than 20 faculty members attached to four different departments along with seven research chairs. Faculty researchers in biomedical engineering work closely with industrial partners and clinicians. In some cases, the collaboration between clinicians and our researchers is so closely coupled that research laboratories are located directly within Montréal hospital centres.

Research directions in health technologies at ÉTS

Medical imaging and deep neural learning; neuroimaging;

Virtual and augmented reality in the field of rehabilitation engineering and virtual reality for the cognitive training of athletes;

Specific Themes

Here is an overview of research themes that are of particular interest to ÉTS researchers (click for more):

Risk management in occupational health and safety

3D modelling and imaging of musculoskeletal systems

Spinal traumatology

Design of orthopaedic prostheses

Detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's Disease

Injectable biomaterials and cell therapy

Precision robotics

Rehabilitation robotics

Medical imaging and spectral analysis of the shape and geometry of data

Artificial Intelligence in medical imaging

Medical imaging and analysis of shapes of brain structures

Analysis of the walk of osteoarthritic subjects and modelling of the shoulder

Virtual ergonomics and 3D kinematic musculoskeletal modelling

Analysis of ultrasound medical images

Biomechanical modelling and design of orthopaedic prostheses

Additive manufacturing and biomedical implants

Navigation and augmented reality in cardiology and orthopaedics and 3D imaging

Biomechanics and surgical tools

Non-obtrusive telemonitoring during sleep

Real time telemedicine for emergency medical evacuation

Personalized medicine

Biomedical Engineering in Quebec

Montréal stands in 6th place in North America for its concentration of jobs in the life sciences and health technologies. It is also home to 300 public and parapublic research centres as well as several world-class research centres affiliated with our three university mega-hospitals. The greater Montréal metropolitan region comprises 80% of the entire Québec life sciences and health technologies sector.

Over the next few years, the Quebec government will invest substantial sums in research so that the province ranks among the five most important centres of the sector. These amounts are intended to attract more private investors and to promote innovation in the Québec health network.

The Health Technologies Sector in Montréal

Montréal stands in 6th place in North America for its concentration of jobs in the life sciences and health technologies

Montréal is also home to some 300 public and parapublic research centres as well as several world-class research centres affiliated with our three university mega-hospitals

Relieving pain for people with osteoarthritis of the knee or people who get around in a wheelchair.

Rachid Aissaoui: When Engineering Meets Clinical Research

Osteoarthritis of the knee, a growing problem in Canada, costs several billion dollars in healthcare each year. Rachid Aissaoui, professor and researcher in the Automated Manufacturing Engineering Department, devotes his research skills to developing new technologies that will lead to determining the onset and the stage of progression of this disease and to rehabilitation of patients with certain movement disorders.

Although implants can increase quality of life significantly, the issue is now to extend their lifespan.

Natalia Nuño: Extending the Lifespan of Implants Through 3D Printing

Whether they are used for a knee or a hip, implants have a limited lifespan. As patients get younger and younger, implants need to be replaced more frequently, which creates its own share of concerns with each surgery. Natalia Nuño, biomechanics professor in the Department of Automated Manufacturing Engineering, is working to prolong the lifespan of prosthetics.